Debutants Punjab FC Announce Squad to Face Mohun Bagan Super Giants in Durand Cup

Punjab FC officially unveiled their 26-man roster for the 132nd Durand Cup. Their first match in Group A will be against Mohun Bagan Super Giants, who won the Indian Super League (ISL) Cup. On Monday, the game will take place at the Kishore Bharathi Krirangan.

For their first game at the Durand Cup, head coach Staikos Vergetis selected a team with a mix of youth and experience.

Luka Majcen, Juan Mera, and Kiran Kumar Lindu are international players who just had their contracts renewed after a successful I-League captain.

Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Leon Augustine, Prasanth K. Mohan, Melroy Assisi, Nikhil Prabhu, Tejas Krishna, Nitesh Darjee, Kingslee Fernandes, Samuel Lyngdoh Kynshi, Ricky Shabong, and Ranjeet Pandre are all new Indian additions to the team that were made before to the start of the season.

Punjab FC will compete in their first encounter after being elevated to the ISL. The squad has been working out in Kolkata in preparation for its Durand Cup matches.

The team was successful in keeping its main players from the I-League championship season. Ayush Deshwal and Pramveer, who played for India’s U-17 squad at the AFC Asia Cup, have been promoted from the academy to the senior team.

“Our strategy is to field a single, defensively cohesive squad that is compact to thwart any opportunities the opposition may provide. Prior to the team’s first game, head coach Staikos Vergetis said, “At the same time, we are working on our attacking transitions to have a competitive game against a very powerful side in Mohun Bagan.

The Durand Cup team will be captained by Luka Majcen.

We have a balanced lineup of players from the previous season as well as a number of intriguing new players, and we are looking forward to the game tomorrow. Although we respect our opponent, we will play against a major club and stick to our game plan, stated Luka.

Given that it is still early in the season, he said, “we would like to assess where we stand and determine the things we need to improve for the lengthy season ahead.”

Punjab FC lineup:

Goalkeepers: Ayush Deshwal, Ravi Kumar, and Kiran Kumar Limbu (both from Nepal).

Defenders: Tekcham and Khaiminthang Lhungdim Pramveer, Mohammed Salah, Nitesh Darjee, Nikhil Prabhu, Tejas Krishna, Melroy Assisi

Midfielders: Kingslee Fernandes, Leon Augustine, Samuel Lyngdoh Kynshi, Krishnananda Singh, Ashis Pradhan, Manglenthang Kipgen, Tongbram Matheson Singh, Brandon Vanlalremdika, Juan Mera (Spain), Ricky Shabong, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Prasanth K Mohan, and Leon Augustine.

Serbian forwards Luka Majcen, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, and Ranjeet Singh Pandre